Final Fantasy XV’s game director, Hajime Tabata, has resigned from Square Enix, and three of the 4 DLC episodes that had been deliberate for FF15 over the approaching yr have been cancelled. The first of those, Episode Ardyn, continues to be deliberate to launch in March 2019, however episodes Aranea, Lunafreya, and Noctis have formally been axed.
The information got here throughout a broadcast from Square Enix on what’s subsequent for FF15, and follows a quarterly earnings announcement that was stuffed with but extra dreadful information for the writer. Tabata had been connected to a newly-formed subsidiary, Luminous Productions, the creation of which led Square Enix to submit a unprecedented loss to the tune of $33 million. Gaming revenues were down 15% year-on-year, and general earnings a whopping 50%, regardless of the launch of Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
FF15 world model director Akio Ofuji explains that, whereas Luminous Productions has been engaged on the approaching DLC, it was primarily set as much as “deliver a completely new triple-A title to the global market”. Ofuji says Square Enix is raring to ship it as quickly as potential, and that assets have thus been refocused on the brand new game and away from FF15 DLC. The latest monetary information isn’t talked about, however clearly, assets are tight at Square Enix proper now.
The future DLC episodes were unveiled at PAX East manner again in April, and promised to inform some thrilling tales that will develop Lunafreya’s character and ship an alternate ending with Noctis embarking on “his final battle.”
Ofuji acknowledges that “many fans have been eager to play these episodes, and the entire development team is regretful that we are unable to meet everyone’s expectations.”
Tabata confirmed his resignation throughout the broadcast (click on to 7:20 on the embed beneath) and on his Facebook page. As the two-year anniversary of FF15 approaches, Tabata says he’s leaving to “hand over the torch to the next generation”, and can begin his personal enterprise in order to deal with “a brand new project” that can “draw on all my past experiences.” With Square Enix successfully calling time on his child, the timing appears cheap.
The broadcast concludes with a dialogue of Episode Ardyn and a trailer, in addition to affirmation that FF15’s multiplayer growth, Comrades, will get a standalone launch subsequent month.
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